Good as Gold: Ducks beat Matadors 4-1

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EUGENE, Ore. – Jeff Gold turned in another strong performance on the mound to lead No. 15 Oregon to a 4-1 win over Cal State Northridge on Tuesday at PK Park.

Gold held the Matadors (5-8) to just one unearned run on six hits over seven innings. He struck out six while lowering his ERA to just 0.51. The junior from Moraga, Calif., has struck out 15 hitters in 17.2 innings this season, while walking just two.

Cal State Northridge took an early 1-0 lead against Gold on an unearned run in the top of the third. Anthony Lombardo delivered a two-out RBI single scoring Michael Najera who reached on an error by shortstop J.J. Altobelli.

The Ducks (10-3) took the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. Ryon Healy opened the inning with a double and scored on a Brett Thomas single to tie the game 1-1. After a walk and sacrifice bunt moved Thomas to third, Shaun Chase picked up an RBI sacrifice fly to put Oregon on top.

Scott Heineman extended the Ducks lead to 3-1 in the fifth inning. The Ducks center fielder led off the inning with a walk, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a RBI ground out by Aaron Payne.

Steven Packard gave the Ducks a three-run lead in the bottom of the eighth with a RBI double inside the bag at third base that scored Thomas from first.

Freshman Garrett Cleavinger picked up his first career save for the Ducks. Harley Holt (1-2) took the loss for CSUN.